By Michael Doyle, ABC
In the video posted on TikTok, the mascot appears to have his hand near the young fan's face and extend his arm, while the child appears to be reaching out to the mascot. Photo: TikTok
A viral video appearing to show the South Sydney Rabbitohs' mascot pushing a child has led to the prime minister defending the man inside the bunny costume.
A video on social media, appearing to show a brief moment between the mascot and a child in a Cronulla Sharks jersey at Shark Park on Saturday where the two NRL clubs played, has led to an investigation by the club.
In the video posted on TikTok, the mascot appears to have his hand near the young fan's face and extend his arm, while the child appears to be reaching out to the mascot.
Eighty-one-year-old Charlie Gallico has been the man inside the bunny costume for more than two decades.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, a South Sydney fan who once served on the club's board, defended Gallico in the wake of the social media storm.
"I was on the board. I was a director of South Sydney in the 1990s, which is when Charlie began as South Sydney's mascot," the prime minister said during a press conference in Melbourne on Monday.
"Charlie is a very gentle person … if he weighs 40 kilos, he must be wet.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended Gallico in the wake of the social media storm. Photo: ABC News: Brendan Esposito
"He has been doing it for a long time and he would never try to hurt anyone. I'm sure if there has been inappropriate behaviour, he would be the first to apologise.
"From time to time … [he] has been pushed, whacked, because people don't realise that there is an 81-year-old fellow in there as a mascot."
South Sydney has said it was aware of the incident and was conducting an investigation.
"We are investigating what happened and will have no further comment to make until our investigation is complete," the club said in a statement.
- ABC
